Shoe Glossary

There are a lot of shoe jargon terms that most people do not understand. We have tried to create a simple list of explanations below. If you have any suggestions for amendments or additions please email us.

blucher - a separate piece of leather is attached to the top of the shoe giving more height for the laces to thread through

brogue - the small punched holes made in the leather upper are called broguing

calf - the best quality leather that is supple and will last well if cared for

cap - a piece of leather covering the toe part of the shoe

co-respondent - a shoe that is made from two different materials that can vary by texture or colour

counters - the rear parts of a full brogue around the heel

dainite - the brand name of an english rubber sole manufacturer

deck - often a moccasin construction shoe with a non marking sole

derby - a separate piece of leather is attached to the top of the shoe giving more height for the laces to thread through

eyelets - the holes made for the laces to go through

facing - the parts on top of the shoe where the eye-lets go

fit - the width of shoe you need - around 80% of people are the standard F fit

gibson - a separate piece of leather is attached to the top of the shoe giving more height for the laces to thread through

gimping, pinking - the delicate pattern sometimes cut into the edges of the leather panels

hi-shine - a leather that has been treated to give it a high shine. It is not as supple as calf and will not last as well if worn heavily - also called polished

last - the shape of the block of wood the shoe was made on

loafer - a casual slip-on shoe

longwing - similar to a wingtip but the wing part continues all the way around the shoe

mule - an open backed shoe such as a slipper

oxford - the laces are threaded through the upper of the shoe making it very sleek

polished - a leather that has been treated to give it a high shine. It is not as supple as calf and will not last as well if worn heavily - also called hi-shine

semi-brogue - a shoe with punching acrosss the toe cap and the rear counters

size - the size of shoe you need - refer to any other shoes that you have

slipper - a soft shoe that is not intended for outside wear

spectator - a shoe that is made from two different materials that can vary by texture or colour

storm welt - a welt where the inner edge is raised to help repel water

suede - suede is a calf that is treated to give a soft finish

two-tone - a shoe that is made from two different materials that can vary by texture or colour

vamp - the top part of the shoe at the front

veltshoen - specialised welting process where the upper folds away from the shoe to repel water

welt - the strip of leather that connects the upper to the sole

wingtip - the shape of the piece of leather on a full brogue that starts at the toe and reaches around the sides